The military yeesterday said more hostages have been freed from Boko Haram captivity in the Sambisa Forest. No fewer than 160 women and children were freed after the 293 rescued earlier on. The “hostages were held in atrocious condition”, Defence Spokesman Major-Gen. Chris Olukolade stated.
As stated by reports, the mission involved heavy fighting between the military and Boko Haram across nine of their camps, which destroyed part of the terrorist organization's hub and left several of its fighters dead.
“They (freed hostages) have been evacuated to a safety zone for further processing,” Colonel Sani Usman, the Army spokesman, in a statement. “Please recall that we promised to keep you abreast of troops’ progress in respect of Nigerian military’s ongoing operations to rid the country of terrorists and their enclaves. “In line with that, I wish to inform you that today’s evening, troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army also cleared several terrorists strong points and training camps within Sambisa forest, Borno State, Nigeria.
“Sadly, one woman died and eight others sustained gun shot wounds. So far, the troops have destroyed nine terrorist camps in the forest. This is in addition to the four destroyed yesterday.
“The troops have also rescued additional women and children. They have been evacuated to a safety zone for further processing. During the encounter, unfortunately we lost a soldier, while four others were wounded in action.
“I am glad to say that troops’ morale is very high as they are poised to accomplish the task of destroying all terrorists’ camps and rescuing all those held hostage by the terrorists,” the spokesman added.
“Whoever they may be, the important thing is that Nigerians held captive under very severe and inhuman conditions have been freed by our gallant troops.”
He told reporters in Abuja that the army would “comprehensively” clean out the forest, adding: ”There is great hope for the recovery of more hostages of the terrorists.”
“Several field commanders and foot soldiers of the terrorist group have lost their lives, some armoured personnel carriers, Bufallo vehicles mounted with Anti-Aircraft guns, a truck and several Hilux vehicles were destroyed by troops. Also recovered from the fleeing terrorists are a number of Anti-Aircraft guns, General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG) and several AK 47 rifles. Unfortunately though, we lost one soldier in the course of the operation while 10 others have so far been wounded. Equipment such as armoured personnel carriers, pick-up trucks and weapons were seized.
“The true identity of some of the rescued women and girls are yet to be ascertained,” stated Gen. Olukolade.
“At the moment, what is uppermost and of priority is their movement to a conducive place where they are now undergoing thorough profiling to verify their true identity, where they come from, how they found themselves in the forest etc.
“Additional numbers of persons are still being recovered from the forest. Until such comprehensive profiling is done, nobody can confirm whether they are among the Chibok girls or not.”